The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1887-07-21

aunt whose guest she was, came out upc
the piazza and invited Sam Ruxton to 81
aud spend the night at the ranch, instea
OF taking the long ride to his own quarter
Meantime the two men who had bee
approaching from the north had stoppe,
and held consultation close TO the out
building in which All Fong was concealed
Their appearance was sadly against them
One was a tall, thin fellow, with sulle
countenance and shaggy black hair; tn
other smaller man with freckled fac
and red whiskers, looking for all the worl
like ferret A precious pair Of ruffian
All Fong thought them, as he strained hi
ears to catch the dialogue, thicxly inter
larded with profanity, which lasted for fiv,
minutes and until, having apparently mad,
cp their minds what TO do, they started IL
direction which took them round the cor
ner OF the ranch.house and toward the
party on the piazza.
The Chinese boy, when they had passed
ms place OF concealment, emerged, ran
around the house inthe opposite direction
aad approached Uncle Jim before the latter
| saw the pair.
Master, whispered he, "hab got two
piecee man come Wantchee stop this side
tonight More better you talkee he no can
stop MI can secure he bilong lallee.loon
man Il can prove that they are ladrones or
robbers).n
"Waal, now" said Uncle Jim, u didn't
never hev NO use for cuss that wears a
pig-iail and eats rats. The Chinese must
go says l. Clear out now and 90 washee.
washeee, or whatever you call it.n
AS All Fong well knew, Uncle Jim's bark
was much worse than his bite, nor was
there any fear that he would disregard a
warning The Chinese boy drew back lust
as the two rough fellows came In sight.
They approached the piazza, and one could
see the look Of repulsion come on Uncle
Jim's expressive face, as his experienced
eye took in the details OF their obnoxious
appearance, The smaller fellow advanced
as spokesman.
u allow yer disremember me, Mr. Boyle,n
said he, in voice which no tried in vain
to modulate, and which tontrasted curl
ously with his unctucus manner. II knew
yer when yer was a-sinkin' shaft up TO
Central, and was prospectin NY name
Is Martin, William Martin, but the boys all
call me Beavei>Dam Bill This ycr's my
pard, MI Moses Smith; him they call Mus.
tang Nose. Say, Uncle Jim, we allowed
ye'd give us a shake-down fur the night,
fur we'vo tremped nigh on thirty miles TO.
day and we're jest everlastin'ly played OUT
Uncle Jim's keen eyes were fixed on the
lnwholcsome pair; evidently, while he did
not recognize them, some vague and feet.
nE memory was suggested by their appear
lnce, and he was trying to fix 1t In his
mind. The larger OF tho two shifted his
weight from one foot to the other as he
glanced away TO the eastward, and the
spokesman found himself unable TO look
he old frontiersman fairly in the face In
Iced, his uneasiness was increasing each |
moment under the scrutiny to which he was
ubjected
At last Uncle Jim spoke, in slow tones, |
Iud with marked elaboration. This we're |
louse amt mine" said he, 'and the owner |
le's down to Pueblo. Ell We keep on along |
he trail thar to the left OF the MESA and |
Ugh on three mile, yen strike Dutch Pete's
anch, an he's all fixed to take folks in and
i've 'em square meal an a shake.d down.
It's right over them trees yondcr, whar We |
ee-" Here he was interrupted
Fanny Carroll, who mad been inside the
ouse, suddenly came out and stood on the
iazza.
20, Mr.. Boyle,n she cried, ''do not let any
ne be turned away from these doors |
hOoO pOoA iAAOu hhC weary anu lOOl-SOTC.
hey must not be compelled to go farther.
let us give them shelter, and supper and
God nights rest.p
She made beautiful picture as she stood
here, in a graceful attitude; with height
ned color, eyes sparkling, rosy lips slightly
part Uncle Jim's face relaxed in an in
tant, and the effect of this lovely appari-
on upon the two wanderers was marvel
rs. Beaver Dam Bill took of his shabby
at, shuffled with his feet and made an at
smpt to stammer out his thanks; and
-ustang Nose, turning TO look at the ex.
1isite young girl, showed his astonish-.
eat and interest by complete change OF
,untenance. Never in all his life of vicissi-
de, and worse than vicissitude, had any ,
lie seen on his face such an expression Of
lrprise, then OF almost wondering delight;
Id natural enough, to be sure; for never
all this same life had he seen such a 4
ght, much less heard pity for him ex- I
'essed in such gentle and dulcet tones. /
"Waal, said Uncle Jim, ''thet settles it. 9
allow the young lady's boss. Here, you I
g-tailed Chinaman, show these men a I
ace where they can wash the dust OF =
,loraydo of of em, and give 'em some h
Ub.n d
All Fong obeyed with curious rcluct-
ce, and the two men followed him, more h
an once turning TO look over their shout \
RS. =,
Then came supper, and some pleasant n
ening hours on the piazza, under the
light stars and in tho soft air. The two a
-angers had supped heartily, and now sat !,
themselves, at some distance from the Q
st of the party. When Fanny Carroll =,
ng, in her lovely and well-trained voice, =
istang Nose took the pipe from his mouth Q
d let 1t go out as he held it in his hand :,
hen most Of the inmates of the house had -
.ired, Uncle Jim told All Fong to take the :,
o men to chamber at the head OF a -
all stairway leading from the main room -
the ranch. The boy obcyed and then re- q,
med to the main room, in which, on the =,
de hearth, burned a cheerful fire OF logs. a
approached the stalwart frontiersman, =,
10 sat before the fire gazing into its blaz- ~ y,
, depths. =.
Master" said All Fong, ,'he t'Iuly ~ ..
ong lallee-loon man. Mi hear lie talkee 20
hey are really robbers. 1 heard them
k-)" Uncle jim looked at him gravely. eV
'Ah Fong, or whatever yer blamed "a
athen name is" said he, ~ didn't never y
nix I'd come to say it to Chinee, but | =. 81
uldn't be surprised eff yer head was IN
eel. Now you skip to bed an I'll stop >
hit here. Skip, say!" I'd
Ah Fong went out, closing the door be-
i'd him, but he proceeded no further than